Journal Article

Development of a smart portable cupping suction device with multi-mode control using PID regulation

Ghazali, Mohd Riduwan, Ahmad, Mohd Ashraf, Akmalmas, Luqman Hakim

2025

Overview

Cupping therapy is a well-established traditional treatment with various health benefits. However, existing electric cupping devices lack precise pressure control and portability which limit their usability across different skin types. This paper presents the development of a smart and portable cupping suction device with multi-mode functionality for dry, wet, and massage cuppings. Designed using an ESP32C3 XIAO microcontroller, a differential pressure sensor (MPX5100DP), and a motor driver (L293D) to enable real-time pressure regulation, the system incorporates a proportional-integral derivative (PID) to maintain a consistent suction performance at the negative pressures of -25, -35, and -45 kPa. The device was tested on different skin conditions of clean, less hairy, and slightly hairy surfaces. A real-time monitoring interface was additionally integrated using a web server to track the variation in pressure. Experimental results demonstrate effectiveness of the PID control system in achieving stable pressure with minimal fluctuations with enhanced user safety and comfort. It advances the medical devices for therapeutic automation by offering a portable, precise, and user-friendly cupping solution.